Thinking about becoming a Chartered Accountant? Before you start your preparation, one of the first questions you may have is: How much does the CA course actually cost?
The CA journey has three stages: CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, and CA Final. Each level has its own preparation needs, and the total expense may include coaching, registration,exam fees, study materials, and test series.So,what are the chartered accountant course fees in 2026? Is online coaching a more affordable choice than offline classes? And what should you keep in mind when planning your CA preparation budget?
In this guide, we break down the CA course fees for Foundation and Intermediate, compare online and offline options, and look at the other expenses you may need to plan for along the way.
CA Foundation Course Fees 2026
The CA Foundation registration fee is ₹9,000, which includes the official study material provided by ICAI. Students also need to pay the applicable examination fee, while the prospectus costs ₹200.An ICAI students’ journal is available separately for ₹200, but subscribing to it is optional. The exact exam fee may vary based on the examination centre and whether a late fee applies.
ICAI follows a structured fee system across all three levels. The official registration charges are:
| Component | Fees (₹) |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | 9,000 |
| Examination fee | 1,500 |
| Prospectus Fee | 200 |
| Student Journal | 200 |
| Total | 10,900 |
CA Foundation Coaching Cost
Apart from the official ICAI fees, many students opt for coaching to gain a better understanding of the syllabus and strengthen their exam preparation. The CA Foundation coaching fees vary based on factors such as the institute, faculty experience, mode of learning, and the level of academic support offered.
Start your CA journey today and begin your path to a global career.
Join Xylem Commerce Pro and prepare for CA.
Join NowCA Foundation Subjects and Syllabus
The CA Foundation syllabus covers four core subjects that help students build a strong base in accounting, law, mathematics, reasoning, and economics:
- Accounting
- Business Laws
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Business Economics
Together, these subjects develop the basic knowledge and analytical skills needed for the CA journey. If you want to understand each paper in more detail, you can explore the CA Foundation syllabus and subjects before starting your preparation.
CA Inter Fees : Registration, Exam & Direct Entry Costs
At the CA Intermediate level, students need to plan for both registration and examination expenses. The ICAI registration fee is ₹13,000 for a single group and ₹18,000 for both groups. Students should also account for the examination fee for each attempt.
| Component | Single Group Fees(₹) | Both Groups Fees(₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | ₹13,000 | ₹18,000 |
| Examination Fee (per attempt) | ₹1500 | ₹2700 |
How Your Entry Route Impacts Your Budget
Your entry route can affect how you plan your CA Intermediate fees. Students joining through Direct Entry need to register for both groups, so the registration fee is ₹18,000. In comparison, students coming through the Foundation route can register for a single group at ₹13,000, allowing them to manage the cost across separate attempts.
CA Final Fees 2026: Breaking Down the Final Stage Costs
After clearing the CA Intermediate examination, students can register for the CA Final Course and the Self-Paced Online Modules. The Final level has two groups, and the CA Final fees for registration are ₹22,000 for both groups.
Additional expenses may include self-paced modules and examination fees. Since the registration remains valid for 10 years, students have sufficient time to complete the final stage while focusing their budget on preparation and revision.
| Component | Fees(₹) |
|---|---|
| Registration fee (one-time, both groups) | ₹22,000 |
| Exam form fee – Single Group (per attempt) | ₹1,800 |
| Exam form fee – Both Groups (per attempt) | ₹3,300 |
| Articleship registration (separate, one-time) | ₹2,000 |
A student appearing for both CA Final groups in the first attempt would pay approximately ₹25,300 in ICAI fees, including the ₹22,000 registration fee and ₹3,300 examination fee. The earlier ₹2,000 articleship registration fee is an additional cost incurred during the course.
Total CA Course Fees
| Stage | Approx.cost |
|---|---|
| CA Foundation (registration + exam + prospectus) | ₹11,300 |
| CA Intermediate (both groups, registration + exam) | ₹20,700 |
| ICITSS (Orientation + IT Training) | 13,500 |
| CA Final (both groups, registration + exam) | ₹25,300 |
| Articleship registration | ₹2,000 |
| Approx.TOTAL | ₹72,800 |
Note : The above mentioned course fees is excluding the exam fees and the coaching fees of private institutes.
Complete Level-Wise Fee Breakdown
| CA Level | Registration Fee | Exam Fee | Other Required Costs | Estimated Cost Before Coaching | Approx. Cost With Coaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Foundation |
₹9,000 | ₹1,500 | ₹800 (prospectus + journals) |
₹11,300 | ₹60,000–₹70,000 |
| CA Intermediate (Both Groups) |
₹18,000 | ₹2,700 | ₹13,500 (ICITSS) |
₹34,200 | ₹1,00,000–₹1,90,000 |
| CA Final (Both Groups) |
₹22,000 | ₹3,300 | ₹2,000 (Articleship registration) |
₹27,300 | ₹1,30,000–₹2,10,000 |
Is CA Worth the Investment?
Looking at the CA course fees, it is natural to question whether the qualification is worth the time and effort involved. The answer mainly depends on your career interests, goals, and consistency throughout the course.From Foundation to Final, the CA journey includes registration, examination charges, mandatory training, coaching, and study resources. While costs vary from student to student, the overall investment should be seen in relation to the long-term professional opportunities it offers.
However, the value of becoming a Chartered Accountant goes beyond financial considerations.The qualification opens pathways in accounting, auditing, taxation, financial reporting, corporate finance, consulting, and risk management.For students who are committed to the field of finance and willing to stay disciplined through each stage, the chartered accountant course fees can be viewed as an investment in skill development and career growth.
It is also important to choose the right learning support based on your needs and study style. Students often explore options such as a CA coaching centre in Kerala to understand available academic guidance before making a decision.
FAQ's
The overall CA course fees can vary depending on coaching, study materials, examination attempts, and other preparation expenses. The basic ICAI-related fees are lower, while the total cost increases when coaching and additional resources are included.
The CA Foundation fees include a ₹9,000 registration fee, along with applicable exam and other charges.
A CA’s monthly salary varies with experience, role, skills, and employer. Fresh CAs may earn around ₹50,000–₹1 lakh per month, while experienced professionals can earn significantly more.
The CA Final fees include a ₹22,000 registration fee for both groups, plus applicable examination charges.
No. CA coaching is optional, but it can help with structured preparation, concept clarity, and exam practice.
Yes. The ICAI registration fee includes the official study materials provided for the respective level.